How to practice
- Write your dialogue(s) in your notes.
- Use the checklists to make sure you include the targets.
- You can also practice with ATHENA (optional, not graded): use the sample practice prompts below.
Task 1 — Write one 12-turn small-talk dialogue
Choose one scenario
- New classmate: first day of class
- New colleague: first week in a job
- Neighbor at the bus stop: waiting for a bus
Required targets
- At least 8 phrase bank frames (highlight or mark them)
- At least 3 backchannels (Uh-huh./Right./I see./OK.)
- At least 1 softener (maybe, a bit, just)
- At least 1 topic shift (By the way…, Speaking of…)
- A polite close (It was nice talking to you. Take care.)
Helpful outline (you can follow this)
- Turns 1–2: greeting + “How are you?”
- Turns 3–4: weather/day comment + reaction
- Turns 5–6: work/study question + answer
- Turns 7–8: weekend/hobby question + answer
- Turn 9: topic shift (By the way…)
- Turns 10–11: small new detail + reaction
- Turn 12: polite close
Task 2 — Make two short endings (tone practice)
- End the same dialogue in two ways:
a) Friendly informal (See you later! Take care!)
b) Neutral polite (It was nice talking to you. Have a good day.)
Quality checklist (yes/no)
- I used 8+ target frames.
- I used 3+ backchannels.
- I joined ideas with and/but/so at least twice.
- I ended politely.
Optional practice with ATHENA (not an assessment)
- Prompt to practice a live chat:
“Hi ATHENA. Please be a friendly neighbor at a bus stop. Keep each reply short (1–2 sentences). Use simple English (A2). Ask me 1 question at a time. Help me use backchannels and topic shifts. After 12 turns, please give me 5 small tips and show 5 better sentences from my chat.”